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The Earring Song

Twists and turns, acidic burns
In the dark will we find the spark for home

No signs to be seen, just lost in a dream
By 9 Train, I return with the ring

Erin calls for Oisin’s footfalls
Where three hundred years have gone past

Quoth the frog, from a hollow log
Brekekex, brekekex, coax

High upon the sea, and who shall I see?
Craxy Chester and Sweet Ann Marie

Catfish Stew, Catfish Mermaid too
The faces and places I’ve found

‘Round the Horn, where New Hope is borne
Together we weather the storm

Old Coulston’s wall, the fish hook and all
The memory of a lifetime ago

Earring hangs, as Lady Foot dangles
The joy that innocently surrounds

Crashing rocks, we rush for the docks
We find that it’s now stranger than known

Through the light, a new blinding sight
Too radiant, too shining to know

Changes Upon Changes

As the days grow long and hotter, and the summer sun grows old
And the mourning doves are calling through the shadows that are stretching on the riverbank
The muddy banks, o’er which the water once flowed, but now has run below
Leaving only driftwood behind like memories to dry

As the wind blows dry and higher, and the fires rage uncontrolled
And the sky is filled with dark clouds, and the feeling of trouble ’round every corner just waiting for you
Trouble, oh trouble, won’t leave well enough alone, like the coming of the cold
And the promise of death, dormancy and winter
As the wind blows dry and higher, and the fires rage uncontrolled

As seasons change, as rivers freeze and summer ends
As what remains, as winter dies and spring begins
After changes upon changes we are closer to the same
And changes upon changes, and more changes again

As a man forgets his blessings, takes for granted, throws a curse
As his lashing out his anger, his thoughtlessness and selfishness, in the others that he hurts
Those he hurts, though he would not have hurt them if he had not been hurt first
Though he loves them, he forgets and throws his curse
And what was bad, had only just been gotten that much worse

As the years are passing by, ever picking up speed
We are older than we once were, and younger than we’ll be, it is explained
No it isn’t strange, after changes upon changes we are more or less the same
After changes we are still just the same
After changes we are closer to the same

As seasons change, as rivers freeze and summer ends
As what remains, as winter dies and spring begins
After changes upon changes we are closer to the same
And changes upon changes, and more changes again

And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free
And the lady foot dangle, and the spitting in the mud, and you will see again
To sea again, as a sailor sets his ship upon the wind
You will know the truth and see again
And with the raising of the dead have you not seen again?

In the early mists of morning, as the fisher plies his trade
And the thoughts fade slowly ‘cross his brow and he calls out for another net to catch him
And his actions, his muscles and his hands, they are my hands
He knows he cannot be elsewhere, but where he firmly stands
And all that’s ending, and all that’s beginning for him once again

As seasons change, as rivers freeze and summer ends
As what remains, as winter dies and spring begins
After changes upon changes we are closer to the same
And changes upon changes, and more changes again

Happier And Richer (Catchin’ Fish)
Once upon a time, had no reason, had no rhyme
All I knew was to beg, steal and borrow
And if I ever had one last wish, I would ask for just one more fish
But then I’d just wake up hungry again tomorrow

Learning to fish, with a hook and line
Learning to catch the fishes that are mine
With a reel and rod, the catfish and the cod
I’ve grown happier and richer all my life

With empty guts inside, I’d already swallowed my pride
Only thing left for me to chew on was my sorrow
And if I ever had one more wish, I would ask for one last fish
But then I’d just wake up hungry again tomorrow

Learning to fish, learning to eat
Separating bones and fat from the meat
With a reel and rod, and gifts given by god
I’ve grown happier and richer all my days

When I was a child, I thought and understood as a child
Now I am a man, I put a fishing rod in my hand

I was crying all night long, ’til you sang to me your song
Taught me how to fish, set me on my way
When you came along, you righted all my wrongs
Now I’ve grown happier and richer all my days

Learning to laugh, learning to live
Learning to love, learning to give
With a reel and rod, and but for the grace of god
I’ve grown happier and richer all my life

Now I won’t mention his name, but they say he stole a flame
Of eternal fire, and bestowed it to mankind
So they tied him to a rock, set an eagle on his liver
And he suffered that way until the end of time

Learning the sea, learning the sky
Learning to feel, learning to fly
With a reel and rod, and a tricking of the gods
I’ve grown happier and richer all my days

When I was newborn, I couldn’t have no concern
Now that I’ve grown old, I carry my fishin’ pole

Tell you what you do, take this line and loop it through
And you bait the hook with color all in a tangle
Dress it with a spoon to make them old men catfish swoon
As the water floats that lady foot dangle

Learning to fish, learning to fight
Learning by day, learning by night
With a reel and rod, and a challenge to the gods
I’m grown happier and richer all my days

Well I’m catchin’ fish all day long, just as easy as a song
And I’m grown happier and richer all my days

Well I’m catchin’ fish all day long, Lord nobody can do me wrong
And I’m grown happier and richer all my days

And I’m grown happier and richer all my days

I Am A River

I am a river, so deep and wide
And all across me, is the other side
The sun shines on me, the darkness hides
I am a river, so deep and wide

I am a river, so deep and wide
A floating surface, o’er what’s inside
Blue sky above me, black earth below
I am a river, oh river roll

I am a river, running wild and free
Flowing with power, and mystery
I made the riverbanks, that carry me
I am a river, wild and free

I carved the valleys, I made the land
You cannot dam me, lest ye be damned
I am a river, I own this town
Don’t underestimate me, I’ll take you down

I’ve wandered through darkness, when no light has shown
Plunged the depths of suffering, I’ve felt the walls alone
I’ve fallen and stumbled, Lord knows I’ve cried
Through peaks and valleys, I’ve nearly run dry

And I carry countless sinners and thieves
And I carry the righteous as much as these
And I’ll feed the hungry, and I’ll give drink to the thirsty
I’ll harbour the harbourless, I will bury the dead

I am a river, life flows through me
It’s hard to trace, from whence I come
Somewhere up yonder, I come a-rolling
Just like the morning and the rising sun

Bolt of sunshine on the mountain
Eagle screaming on the fly
Moon hangs brightly, reflecting fountain
I am a river in late July

I am a river, my waters flow
I am a spirit, for you to hold
I am a fountain, t’was not made by hand
The jewel in the lotus, the word in the man

I go on living, while I am dying
I am immortal, I am everlasting
My hook is reeling, I am recasting
I am nirvana, I am samsara

I am a river, I keep rollin’ on
I’m like that 9 train, that’s come and gone
That number 9 train, she’s fit to roam
And like that 9 train, I’ll carry you home

I am a river, I am a poem
I am the highway, I am the home
Through all the struggle, through all the strife
I am a river, a source of life

I am a river, I am a stone
I am the lifeblood, I am the bone
I am the darkness, I am the light
I am the daytime, I am the night

I am the ocean, I am the lake
I am the rainbow, I am the snake
I am a rich man, I am a rake
I am the real thing, I am not a fake

I am a father, I am a son
I am a mother, and we are one
I am a woman, I am a man
I am a woman, I am a man

I am a mountain, I am the sea
I am a river, the river is me

Roaring thunder, ringing bell
Stairway to Heaven, highway to Hell
A man’s a stranger, you know him well
A roaring thunder, a ringing bell

I am a river, so deep and wide
And you must cross me, to reach the other side
The sun shines on me, the darkness hides
I am a river, so deep and wide

I am a river, wild and free
Ain’t no man can ever change me
The sky above me, the earth below
I am a river, oh river roll
I am a river, oh river roll

I am a river, oh river roll

A folk song, by Joe Eddie.

Catfish Stew

There was an old bowl come from the North
I’ll recite the recipe for you
It’s a wholesome pot and a tasty pot
A pot called Catfish Stew
It’s a wholesome pot and a tasty pot
A pot called Catfish Stew

The stew starts with a catfish caught
Before Midsummer’s Day is new
A late Springtime pot, and a joyful pot
A pot called Catfish Stew
A late Springtime pot, and a joyful pot
A pot called Catfish Stew

This catfish caught, spring him from the net
And from his lip unhook the lead
Then smack him cross behind the skull
To be sure that he is dead
Then smack him cross behind the skull
To be sure that he is dead

Now lay ‘im flat and stretch ‘im out,
And be sure your prayers are said;
Then with a sharp knife, Lord, be swift,
And then cut off his head
Then with a sharp knife, Lord, be swift,
And then cut off his head

Then grab his tail and raise him high
See where the tail fins spread
Then nail him long upon the board
To be sure that he is bled
Then nail him long upon the board
To be sure that he is bled

Now here’s the part, I’m afraid my friend,
You’ll have to dig your fingers in:
Make just a small cut with your knife
And then peel back his skin
Make just a small cut with your knife
And then peel back his skin

And with your knife take care to slice
The catfish meat from bone
The black is cram but the white is nice
And the yellow fat can be thrown
The black is cram but the white is nice
And the yellow fat can be thrown

Now chop the meat an inch apart
And you’ll have a mound of cubes
For a wholesome pot and an honest pot
A bowl of Catfish Stew
For a wholesome pot and an honest pot
A bowl of Catfish Stew

In an old brown pot you throw the fish
Add mint, basil, berries of red and blue
Young dandelions, fresh rose hips and princess pine
And a dash of ground rock pepper, too
Young dandelions, fresh rose hips and princess pine
And a dash of ground rock pepper, too

Now for the broth you can add some water
But your broth is too thin and clear
So for every cup of water you pour
Pour another pint of beer
So for every cup of water you pour
Pour another pint of beer

And ladies and gentlemen, we’ve only begun
Our bowl is still very plain
Our catfish stew wouldn’t be Catfish Stew at all
Without the flavorful things that remain
Our catfish stew wouldn’t be Catfish Stew at all
Without the flavorful things that remain

But first, if I may refrain,
Do worms feel pain?
Does a worm have a brain?
Is peircing the worm with the hook humane? (ask the worm.)
If you ask the worm, would he tell you the same? (ask the worm.)

Now to the broth add poison oak
And a pinch of jellied toad snout
And as the broth begins to boil
The smell comes wafting out
And as the broth begins to boil
The smell comes wafting out

Add gathered dust from spiders’ webs
Add the ground up molted horn
Simmer these with the naked cobs
That are stripped of all their corn
Simmer these with the naked cobs
That are stripped of all their corn

Add rotten cheese and a sparrow’s nest
And skull marrow of a swine
And as the broth begins to boil
Break apart the catfish spine
And as the broth begins to boil
Break apart the catfish spine

Now take the worm from a house cat’s mouth
You’ll thank me when you’re through
You’ll thank me when you’ve had a bowl
From the pot of Catfish Stew
You’ll thank me when you’ve had a bowl
From the pot of Catfish Stew

Add a billy-goat’s hoof and the hide of a wolf
Stomach of a cow, placenta of a deer
After you add these last to the broth
Pour another round of beer
After you add these last to the broth
Pour another round of beer

And the businessman with his fortunes piled high
The politician, and his air
Toss these in to the Catfish Stew
With a lock of the Poet’s hair
Toss these in to the Catfish Stew
With a lock of the Poet’s hair

Add a lump of cancer, toe- and fingernail clippings
Slugs and bugs, and a handful of dirt
Lung and tongue from a foreign-raised chicken
And an angel with no shirt
Lung and tongue from a foreign-raised chicken
And an angel with no shirt

Add to these the willow leaves
That were cast to all four winds in a gale
And any twin brothers that have talked to the sun
and lived to tell the tale
And any twin brothers that have talked to the sun
and lived to tell the tale

Now stir the pot with a lightning bolt
As she bubbles, yes it’s true
A wholesome pot and a righteous pot
A pot called Catfish Stew
A wholesome pot and a righteous pot
A pot called Catfish Stew

For the catfish swims with majesty
Excellence, strength and glory, his virtue
And all are glad and proud to have supp’ed
Upon the Catfish Stew
And all are glad and proud to have supp’ed
Upon the Catfish Stew

So this concludes our recipe
It’s time we bid adieu
For to go and fetch another bowl
From the pot of Catfish Stew
For to go and fetch another bowl
From the pot of Catfish Stew

The Transformation of Captain Joe Eddie into a Catfish

Deep in the Valley where the mighty Red River runs, well-stock’d with fish and mark’d with hooks of blood
Here did the fishermen ’till the heat of day, pursue the cat and load themselves with rey;
When then Captain Joe Eddie, calling to the rest: “My boys,” said he, “our sport is at its best,
The sun is high advanc’d and downward sheds his burning beams directly on our heads;

Then by consent abstain from further spoils, pull in the hooks and gather up the toils,
And ‘ere tomorrow’s sun begins his race, take the cool morning to renew the chase.”
They all consent, and in a cheerful train the jolly fishermen loaded with the slain,
Return in triumph from the Red River plain, leavin’ Captain Joe Eddie time to refrain.

Oh-oh, river flow
This is the story of Captain Joe
A fisherman you all may know
Oh-oh, river flow

Down in a vale with pine and cypress clad, refresh’d with gently winds, and brown with shade,
The Catfish Mermaid’s private haunt, there stood, full in the center of the darksome wood,
A spacious grotto, all around o’er-grown, with hoary moss, and arch’d with pumice-stone.
From out its rocky clefts the waters flow, and trickling swell into a river above.

Nature had ev’rywhere so played her part, that ev’rywhere she seem’d to vie with art.
Here the bright Mermaid, toil’d and chaf’d with heat, was want to bathe her in the cool retreat.
Here did she now with all her train resort, panting with heat, and breathless from her sport;
Her tackle-bearer laid her rod aside, some loos’d her seashells, some her veil unty’d;

Each busy nymph her proper part undrest; while Crocale, more handy than the rest,
Gather’d her flowing hair, and in a noose, bound it together, whilst her own hung loose.
Seven of the fairest fanned her with sea ferns, two of the fastest watched her close and learned;
Five of the more ignoble sort by turns, fetch up the water, and unlade the urns.

Oh-oh, river flow
This is the story of Captain Joe
A fisherman you all may know
Oh-oh, river flow

Now all undrest the shining Mermaid stood, when Captain Joe Eddie, wilder’d in the wood,
To the cool grott by his hard fate betray’d, the fountains fill’d with naked nymphs he strayed.
The frighted virgins shriek’d at the surprize, the river echoed with their peircing cries.
Then in a huddle ’round their Goddess pressed: she, proudly eminent above the rest,

With blushes glow’d: such blushes as adorn, the ruddy welkin or the purple morn;
And tho’ the crowding nymphs her mermaid body hide, half backward shrunk, and view’d him from a side.
Surprised, at first she would have snatch’d her spear, but sees the circling waters round her near;
These in the hollow of her hand she flung, and splash’d ’em in his face, while thus she sung:

“Tell if thou can’st, the wond’rous sight disclosed,
A Mermaid naked to thy view exposed.”

Oh-oh, river flow
This is the story of Captain Joe
A fisherman you all may know
Oh-oh, river flow

This said, the Cap’ begun to diminish, by slow degrees, and ended in a catfish!
A rising horn on either lip as he grins, and stretches out his skull and tastes with his skin;
Taste with his skin, his senses o’er-grown, his bosom pants with fears before unknown:
Metamorphed at length, he swims away in haste, and wonders why he swims away so fast.

But as by chance, within the wave of a neighb’ring brook, he saw his whiskered horns and alter’d look.
Wretched Captain Joe Eddie! in a doleful tone, he try’d to speak but only gave a groan;
And as he wept, he tasted, with silent pace, the tears trickling down his ancient face.
What should he do? Or seek his old abodes, or herd among the cats and sculk in holes!?

Here shame dissuades him, there his fear prevails, and each by turns his aching heart assails.

Oh-oh, river flow
This is the story of Captain Joe
A fisherman you all may know
He turned in to a Catfish Joe

As he thus ponders, he behind him feels, his op’ning hooks and their lines and reels:
A gen’rous crew, or to maintain the chase, or snuff the vapour from the scented race.
He bounded off with fear, and swiftly swam, o’er muddy banks and the varied chann’
Through brakes and thickets forc’d his way, and flew; through many a ring, where once he did pursue.

In vain he oft endeavour’d to proclaim, his new misfortune, and to tell his name;
Nor voice nor words the brutal tongue supplies; from shouting men, and horns, and dogs he flies,
Deafen’d and stunn’d with their promiscuous cries.

When now the sharpest of the rods, that angled, went near his nose, and t’was that Lady Foot dangled
He smelled it fast through his skin, could not resist, and in a moment felt the hook pierce his lip and twist.
‘Till all the rods came up, and ev’ry hook, tore the sad Captain grov’ling on the ground,
Who now appear’d but one continu’d wound.

With dropping tears his bitter fate he moans,
And fills the river with his dying groans.

Oh-oh, river flow
This is the story of Captain Joe
A fisherman you all may know
He turned in to a Catfish Joe

His sailors with a piteous look he spies, and turns about his dark supplicating eyes.
His sailors, ignorant of what had chanc’d, with eager haste and joyful shouts advanc’d,
And call’d their Captain Joe Eddie to the game. He shook his head in answer to the name;
He heard, but wish’d he had indeed been gone, or only to have stood a looker-on.

But to his grief he finds himself too near, and feels his rav’nous hooks with fury tear
Their wretched Captain panting in a net with but one wish: For them to know he was that dying catfish.

Oh-oh, river flow
This is the story of Captain Joe
A fisherman you all may know
He turned in to a Catfish Joe

As the river turns, you will turn …

As The River Turns

I ran down to the muddy Red River, try and catch some fish
Saw a shooting star the night before, I had made a wish
Asked the man down at the dock which direction I might try
He only smiled and looked at me, and gave me this reply:

“As the river turns, you will learn
As the river turns, you may turn”

I shove off ashore, head North looking for some shade
Hook and worm on my rod, and my engine h’up my vessel, cut the grade
But then here come the Devil, swimming up from below
Clear as the sun shining, it’s the Devil, the Devil and he says, “Joe,

As the river turns, you will yearn
As the river turns, you will burn”

Well fee fi fo fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman
Be he ‘live, or be he dead, I’ll grind his bones to mix my bread
Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon
The little dog laughed to see such sport, and the dish ran away with the spoon

As the river turns, you will turn
As the river turns, you will turn

When I was born, I was pure, my hair was golden, my heart was sure
I don’t know, but I’ been told, streets of Heaven are lined with gold

As the river turns, you will turn
As the river turns, you will turn

I went through the door, and took off my crown, I unhooked my rod, and laid it down
I killed the band and sunk my boat, Set fire to every word I wrote, and set the burning ash afloat

As the river turns, you will burn
As the river turns, you will burn

Crazy Chester and Anne Marie met in the fog, sailed off to sea
I said goodbye to the Devil, and he said goodbye to me
You can set off running, take your time, friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
Say hello to the fishermen, ’til I pass this way again

As the river turns, you will turn
As the river turns, you will turn
As the river turns, you will turn